Brandon W. Jones

Recently I had to do a write-up for one of my MBA classes.  The teacher asked the students to look at their lives and analyze the way they are living their lives.  After evaluating their lives he requested that they answer the question, “How shall I live?”

In thinking about how shall I live, it is very important to think about what matters most.  In my life there are three driving forces that cause me to do what I do.  The three driving forces that guide my life are the following:

1. Honesty and integrity with my fellow man
2. Hard work ethic
3. Make smart decisions

Each of the three driving forces on my behavior has an influence in my everyday life.

Honesty and integrity with my fellow man is very important to me.  I always try to be completely truthful with those that I come in contact with.  By being completely honest, I don’t have to fear that one day a lie will come back and haunt me.  I also have a clear conscious when I go to sleep at night.  Integrity is also very important to me because without integrity, you don’t have anything.  I try to live so that people can trust me and they can say that my word is very valuable.  I want to live up to what others expect of me, but more importantly, I want to live up to my own expectations.

I have always tried to have a good work ethic.  I’ve always had the attitude that others can be smarter, faster, more charismatic, or better than me, but I will make up for my weaknesses with a hard work ethic.  I have always been a very hard worker.  When I was in sports in high school I was nominated by my teammates and received the award of the hardest working wrestler on my team.  By learning hard work ethic at a young age, I was able to succeed in college and earn a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering.  Not only did I earn the degree, but I excelled in my studies.  I finished the program with a 3.72 GPA in a very difficult program.  I have always had a hard work ethic and I will continue to have that work ethic into the future.

In addition to honesty, integrity, and hard work ethic, I also strive to make smart decisions.  By making smart decisions, I am able to be more effective in the things that I do.  I don’t want to just work hard; I also want to work smart so I get things done faster and more efficiently.  In addition, I have to make judgment calls on a regular basis in life and I want to continuously be making smart decisions.  I am always trying to think things through in life so I can succeed.  I want to be very successful in my career and in my life.  I know it requires hard work, but I also know I must work very smart to make the most out of my limited resources.

As I go through life, I always do my very best.  I try to be a leader and lead by setting an example that others can follow.  I know that by constantly keeping these principles in mind, I am able to be more effective at the things I do.

Just as I had to evaluate my life and determine how I shall live, I strongly encourage you to look at your life and determine how you shall live.  If any of you would like to share you thoughts, please do.  I would love to hear.